In June of 2026 a duck boat in Boston flipped over and injured 11 people.

In case you’re not familiar with the duck boats, they are amphibious vehicles originally designed for military use during World War II. Today they’re used to give tours around Boston and nearby communities (e.g. Cambridge), mostly to tourists.

Initial reports stated that the duck boat that overturned was being towed. While being towed the rope suddenly broke, causing the duck boat to flip over.

Can a duck boat company be held liable for the injuries caused to the passengers? Yes: the duck boat company owes a duty to all of its passengers to ensure that they are safe while occupying the duck boat.

Now, because the duck boat company transports members of the general public for a high, they will likely be defined as a common carrier. Common carriers owe the HIGHEST degree of reasonable care to all their passengers.

If you were a passenger on that duck boat in Cambridge, or a bystander who was injured – or if you were injured in a separate duck boat accident altogether – you have the right to seek compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and any long-term impact on your life. The statute of limitations for personal injury claims in Massachusetts is three years, but evidence in these cases must be preserved immediately, and the sooner an attorney is involved, the stronger your position.